I was at UVA's Blandy Experimental Station (State Arboretum) yesterday with my
AP Bio and BioResearch classes to hear about some of the fascinating research
going on there. Before those sessions, we started out strolling around on the
trail through the meadow and to the overlook by the marsh of the springs. In
the midst of our discussions about how one might conduct field biology research
in a place like this, I of course, was also looking for birds.
The highlight was one of the best views I have ever had of a Sora, walking
around right out in the open in the shallow water between the cat-tails and the
muddy shore. It was out long enough for everyone in the class to get great
views through my binoculars that were passed around from person to person.
Then after I got another satisfying look, it dashed back into the cat-tails and
we rushed off to the library to start our series of talks.
Other highlights were Lincoln's, White-crowned, White-throated, Song, Swamp,
Field, and Chipping Sparrows, a yellow-bellied sapsucker, Tennessee, Cape May,
Blackpoll, and Magnolia Warblers, and both kinglets.
On the way out we planted 15 trees that had been all prepared for easy planting
by the Blandy arborist.
Our Northern Virginia Teen Bird Club field trip this Saturday will probably
return to Blandy.
All the best
Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood@xxxxxxxxx
Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124
703-242-1675
http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood
http://www.flinthill.org
http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html
